Look at the Birdie

Kurt Vonnegut Vintage

When Kurt Vonnegut died in 2007, it was a sad day. As one of the great satirists of the 20th century, his work spoke many truths about contemporary society. With Slaughterhouse Five and The Breakfast of Champions being some of the most intrinsic books written in post-war America, it was a revelation to see this latest collection being released posthumously.

Look at the Birdie includes 14 previously unpublished stories that Vonnegut wrote in the 1950s. It feels like a great privilege to read these stories and see the beginnings of what would eventually become one of the best voices in America. From the startling Ed Luby’s Key Club, where an innocent man finds himself the victim of a town’s scandal to A Song for Selma, which is rife with mishaps and misunderstandings. The book also includes some of Vonnegut’s surrealist illustrations.

Look at the Birdie is a valuable time capsule, providing insight into the early developments of Vonnegut’s style. Wry and ironic commentary connect each story making this collection an enjoyable read.

Cherie Federico

Aesthetica Magazine

This article was originally published in Issue 37 of Aesthetica Magazine.